A few days later, news spread in the capital: a fire had destroyed a warehouse in Xingrong Mansion, two hundred miles away.

The news would have been nothing. There are countless warehouses in Dalui, and the incident of running water happens from time to time, and it is not even news at all.

However, the details before and after the incident can't help but make people think more:

The local people said that it should be just a warehouse with goods, but for some reason, there were many people guarding it every day, both openly and secretly, and no one would be driven away as soon as they approached that street;

Everyone said in unison that something was brought in every now and then, but very little was seen coming out; Because everything that was transported in and out was covered with tarpaulins, everyone didn't know what kind of goods it was.

Before the fire broke out on the night of the incident, a large number of men in black were seen wandering near the warehouse, blocking all the main roads in and out of the area; In the middle of the night, most of the nearby residents heard the sound of fighting, and the sound of screams and blades colliding could be heard clearly;

When everything calmed down, the sound of a car rang out again in the street, and the sound lasted for nearly half an hour; Some brave people wanted to probe to see the situation, but they were stopped at home by the government's messengers.

Afterwards, the fire did not stop until two o'clock. When the people saw that there were no more guards nearby, the more daring scavengers and beggars were the first to set foot in it, only to find that it was empty, and that all that remained was some charred, unrecognizable remains......

In the palace, Chen Borui's eyes were so cold that he could kill. Perhaps it was extreme anger that gave him strength, and after being bedridden for a long time, he actually walked to the back of the imperial case and reluctantly sat down with the support of Song Qian.

"One million taels?" He casually glanced at it and threw it out: "Okay, okay...... My son is really good. The annual income of Da Rui's treasury is only more than 4 million taels, and he has saved a quarter of his annual income in a mouse hole, where did he get so much money? ”

Song Qian lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness King Zhao has received the most rewards from the palace since he was a child, and there are some nobles and wealthy businessmen behind the princes...... In this way, His Royal Highness's family background is indeed thicker.

However, the amount is too scary anyway. If you want to find out the source, it is nothing more than those farms, and the old slave who reported before, and his shady business......"

With Song Qian's words, Chen Borui's gaze drifted to the outside of the hall.

"Is there any movement from King Zhao?"

He tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the table, his expression meaningful.

"Back to Your Majesty, the palace is as usual, and there is nothing special about it." Song Qian bowed and said: "The old slave's people have been keeping an eye on it for a long time, but His Royal Highness didn't make any moves, and soon after receiving the news the day before yesterday, he even held a banquet for a favorite concubine with great fanfare, and it is said that the whole family has been rewarded...... This is really not like his usual behavior. ”

Chen Borui raised his hand and motioned for Song Qian to help him go back.

After a short distance, the two of them walked for a cup of tea, and at the moment they sat on the couch, Chen Borui suddenly said: "Song Banban, didn't you say before that there may be more than this place where he keeps his silver?" ”

Song Qian bowed his head and said, "The old slave doesn't dare to deceive Your Majesty. Although it has not yet been fully investigated, there are five or six places where there should be no mistake. The size of the coins stored in these places may be smaller than the one confiscated this time, but they all add up to a fraction. ”

Chen Borui smiled coldly, and he gasped as beads of sweat began to appear on his forehead: "In the previous big war with Beihu, the treasury was so empty that there was almost no money available, but those people in the capital still lived in luxury. I heard that some nobles cost dozens of taels of silver for a meal, and I don't know what kind of delicacies they eat, could it be that the dragon liver and phoenix marrow are not good?

It's not that there is no money in the world of Da Rui, some people are too rich! And I, the emperor, is a poor bastard, and there is no penny left to supplement state affairs with internal funds, who would know that the poorest person in the capital is actually me, the son of heaven!

The last time I settled the displaced people and comforted the northern soldiers, I talked to them one by one, but these people reluctantly twisted for a long time to come up with a little silver, and finally relied on Xiao Jing's calculations to make up for the amount of money they should have.

Don't look at the current annual income of more than 4 million taels - according to this posture that is not as good as a year, it will not be long before my successor will run out of money, what will Da Rui do when the time comes?

In that case, then Hugh blames me and you're welcome! I am not partial, this matter starts with the prince! ”

……

Xiao Jing, who was visiting a mountain in the suburbs, could not have known the heroic words of the sick Chen Borui.

If he had heard these words, he would have raised his hands and feet in favor of it—he didn't want to see the situation in the late Ming Dynasty: on the one hand, the court was so poor that it had to pay all kinds of taxes to lead to a vicious circle, and on the other hand, the nobles, important ministers, and vassal kings were so rich that they were rich and extravagant......

Although even if there is a chaotic situation in the world, Xiao Jing can protect himself, and even wait on the Xia family's warship to fish in troubled waters, but which time is the troubled world not the common people?

"Uncle, the cave has been built according to your wishes. If you have any other requirements, just ask. ”

Xiao Jing looked at the rich furnishings in the cave and nodded with satisfaction.

It's a very hidden place - although the mountain is only fifteen miles from the densely populated town of Puhua, the trail in it has a thousand turns, and the cave happens to be located in a very inconspicuous part of the forest.

It is extremely difficult for ordinary people to find it, even if the soldiers who dispatch the Beijing camp do not have ten days and half a month, they will not want to touch the doorway.

Under Xiao Jing's arrangement, many materials including food, paper and other materials have been hoarded in the cave. Once there is a change in the capital, all the links of the newspaper from finalization to printing can be moved here!

Aside from the humidity, this is really an ideal secret base!

Xiao Jing checked the lighting equipment and asked, "Have all the craftsmen moved here?" ”

"If you go back to my uncle, dozens of skilled craftsmen have been settled in the village at the foot of the mountain, just waiting for your orders." The attendant said confidently, "Once the news comes, they will be here in an hour." ”

"Very well, thank you guys."

Xiao Jing smiled approvingly at his entourage, then turned his head to Dong Xiaoya beside him and said, "What does Xiaoya think?" Maybe we'll have to move here in a few days, and we'll have to live there for a few days. ”

Dong Xiaoya smiled and said: "Since this is the president's arrangement, it is naturally excellent, but it is ...... Will newspapers be using this place soon? ”

Xiao Jing picked up a stone and threw it into the stream outside the cave, grinning:

"Who knows?"